FILM MUSIC IS NOT THE BE-ALL AND END-ALL OF INDIAN MUSIC: SHALMALI
Shalmali Kholgade credits Punjabi artistes for the revival of independent music
Singer Shalmali Kholgade is ecstatic to finally return where her heart lies: music in the independent sphere. Her latest single, Ruka Ruka, has her in the video as well.
Social media has come to the genre’s rescue, reviving interest. Shalmali agrees and says, “It warms my heart to know it’s finally picking up. I remember Viva, Lucky Ali from when I was growing up, I always thought that’s what I will be, but it didn’t happen. God was kind to give me Bollywood to kickstart my career. At one point, only Bollywood was giving us music to listen to. Because of great hip hop, that has come up. Punjabi artistes are to be given credit for reviving the independent scene. That gives courage to a lot of independent artists to think film music is not the be all and end all of music in India.”
The 29-year-old, who has crooned tracks such as Pareshaan (Ishaqzaade; 2012) and Lat Lag Gayi (Race 2; 2013) adds Ruka Ruka came to her at the correct point in her career.
“Doing independent music is something I had my heart set on before I started singing in films,” she says, “I was studying abroad, it got sidelined, also because of my playback career. I knew I wanted to do it, and was waiting for the correct time. Then composer Vasudeva Gandharava approached me with one minute of Ruka Ruka, they and other two people have written it. It is my life story right now, I could relate to the song!”
Since we are talking about playback singing, we just have to ask Shalmali about the ongoing royalty controversy, stoked by composer duo SalimSuleiman over not getting paid. However, Shalmali says she has been paid for her songs. “I do actually get this cheque, which comes as a surprise to me. It’s like extra pocket money! Royalties is such a complex system... It is not impossible, it’s a very difficult process,” says Shalmali. And what about the concerns voiced by SalimSuleiman? She adds, “I was not aware of it, and hope this does not continue because the makers who have given you the food you are enjoying need to be compensated as they rightfully deserve it.”
Rishabh Suri Royalties is such a complex system... in the vast web of India, where a number of people work in different capacities to produce a song. In the West, it’s streamlined. It is not impossible, it’s a very difficult process.
SHALMALI KHOLGADE
SINGER